Patents by Inventor Michael G. Knickerbocker

Michael G. Knickerbocker has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4915266
    Abstract: An improved aerosol assembly is disclosed for filling an aerosol container having an aerosol valve and a mounting cup turret with a turret aperture for receiving a valve stem. The aerosol container receives an aerosol product for discharge through the valve stem upon opening of the aerosol valve. The invention comprises a valve button having a terminal orifice established for communication with the valve stem and for opening the aerosol valve depression of the valve button. The valve button has a valve button recess for at least partially receiving a portion of the mounting cup turret when the valve button is in a depressed position. A filling aperture extends from an outer surface of the valve button to the valve button recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1990
    Assignees: Seaquist Valve Company, Pittway Corp.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4792252
    Abstract: A liquid applicator device and the method of making the applicator device is disclosed for applying a liquid such as a paint, a perfume, a chemical, a coating or the like to a surface by writing, marking or painting. The liquid applicator device includes a container for the liquid and an applicator dispensing mechanism. The applicator dispensing mechanism includes an inner subassembly having a valve and an outer subassembly having the surface applicator. The valve regulates the flow of the liquid from the container to the surface applicator. The valve of the applicator device may be opened to allow the liquid to flow from the container to the surface applicator upon depression of the surface applicator or upon depression of a valve actuator. The liquid applicator device incorporates an improved sealing member for sealing with the sides of the surface applicator for reducing the flow of the applicator liquid along the side of the surface applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Pittway Corporation
    Inventors: Leon V. Kremer, Ronald E. Kieras, Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4473097
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for receiving and measuring a quantity of fluid from a filling device comprising a container having a substantially flat container bottom for resting on a horizontal surface. The container has a translucent sidewall with markings disposed on the sidewall enabling an operator to determine the quantity of fluid therein by viewing the fluid level in the container relative to the markings. A sealing valve is disposed proximate the container bottom and adapted to receive fluid from the filling device enabling the container to be filled to a desired fluid level from the fluid filling device. A dispensing orifice is in fluid communication with the interior of the container for dispensing fluid therefrom. The apparatus is suitable for metering and mixing different proportions of different fluids prior to dispensing from the dispensing orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1984
    Assignee: Seaguist Valve Company
    Inventors: Michael G. Knickerbocker, Peter R. Rickerson
  • Patent number: 4471893
    Abstract: A valve assembly is disclosed for use with an aerosol container having an integral plastic spring acting between the valve stem and the valve body. The valve body is disposed within the aerosol container adjacent a sealing gasket having a central aperture for receiving a valve stem extending therethrough. The valve stem has a valve stem sealing base for movement within an internal body cavity of the valve body to seal the valve stem when the base engages the sealing gasket and for enabling fluid flow when the base is displaced from the sealing gasket. The invention incorporates a plurality of resilient legs extending from the valve stem base for cooperation with an inclined surface either being a tapered or curved surface extending from the valve body to bias the stem sealer into engagement with the sealing gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1984
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4435135
    Abstract: A hand-actuatable pump assembly is adapted to be sealingly secured to the mouth of a container for dispensing material in the container. The pump assembly includes a generally tubular adapter that defines a discharge passageway. A spray member is seated on the adapter and defines a discharge opening in communication with the passageway. A stem defines a tubular portion that is secured to the adapter. A valve body defines a pressure chamber. A piston sealingly and slidably engages the wall of the valve body. The piston comprises a first portion that is clamped between the stem and the adapter, and a second deflectable portion in sealing engagement in a position of rest with the stem, and being out of sealing engagement with the stem in a second position of actuation. The deflectable portion of the piston is deflectable in response to hydraulic pressure upon movement of said piston downwardly into the valve body to expose the passageway to communication with the pressure chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1984
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4426026
    Abstract: An aerosol assembly is disclosed for use with an aerosol container having a valve for discharging product and propellant through a terminal orifice. The invention comprises an actuator button in fluid communication with the terminal orifice. The actuator button is connected to the aerosol valve through a valve stem for opening the aerosol valve upon movement of the actuator button. The actuator button is substantially the shape of a truncated cone having a larger cross-section at the base with respect to the cross-section at the top of the button. A one-piece overcap having an integral finger actuator is secured to the aerosol container for covering the actuator button. Engaging surfaces preferably having plural projections is disposed on the underside of the finger actuator for contacting the actuator button upon movement due to the finger pressure of the operator to open the valve and initiate fluid flow from the terminal orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Co., Div. of Pittway Corp.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4426025
    Abstract: A continuous spray overcap assembly of the type primarily used in conjunction with an aerosol dispenser. The overcap has a substantially cup-shaped body and may be mounted on the rims at the top of an aerosol can thereby protecting the valve from accidental actuation during shipment and shelf storage. In use, the overcap is inverted and remounted onto the aerosol dispenser. A valve actuation device disposed in the base of the overcap opens the valve to continuously dispense product until the overcap is removed from the aerosol dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1984
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Co.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4416398
    Abstract: A plural spray rate aerosol assembly is disclosed for use with an aerosol container having a plural spray rate valve. The assembly comprises an actuator button having a terminal orifice connected through a valve stem to the plural spray rate valve for enabling a first discharge rate of the aerosol product from the terminal orifice upon opening the valve in a first position and for enabling a second discharge rate of the aerosol product from the terminal orifice upon opening the valve in a second position. An overcap is rotatably secured to the aerosol container and includes a finger actuator movably mounted relative to the overcap. A non-symmetrical aperture is disposed in either the actuator button or the finger actuator for cooperation with a non-symmetrical element in the other of the actuator button and the finger actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1983
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Co., Div. of Pittway Corp.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4354621
    Abstract: A child resistant assembly is disclosed for use with an aerosol container having a valve. The assembly comprises an actuator button having a terminal orifice connected through a valve stem to the valve for enabling discharge of the aerosol product from the terminal orifice upon opening the valve. An overcap is rotatably secured to the aerosol container and includes a finger actuator movably mounted relative to the overcap. A non-symmetrical aperture is disposed in either the actuator button or the finger actuator for cooperation with a non-symmetrical member in the other of the actuator button and the finger actuator. The non-symmetrical member enters the non-symmetrical aperture for transferring the finger movement of the operator to open the valve only upon a selected orientation of the finger actuator relative to the actuator button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1982
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Co., Div. of Pittway Corp.
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4328911
    Abstract: A child resistant assembly is disclosed comprising an actuator button having a terminal orifice connected through a valve stem to a valve for enabling discharge of the aerosol product from the terminal orifice upon opening the valve. An overcap is rotatably secured to the aerosol container and includes a finger actuator movably mounted relative to the overcap. A non-symmetrical surface is disposed on either the actuator button or the finger actuator for cooperation with an engaging surface on the other of the actuator button and the finger actuator. The engaging surface engages the non-symmetrical surface for transferring the finger movement of the operator to open the valve only upon a selected orientation of the finger actuator relative to the actuator button. The engaging surface fails to contact the non-symmetrical surface upon finger movement of the operator when the finger actuator is in a non-selected orientation relative to the actuator button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1982
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 4252507
    Abstract: An improved, hand actuatable pump assembly. A stem and piston assembly extend into a valve body. The piston sealingly engages the wall of the valve body and together they define a pressure chamber therebelow. The piston seals a discharge passageway in the stem. As the pump assembly is primed, air in the pressure chamber escapes through the discharge passageway. When the pump is ready for use, the force of hydraulic pressure below the piston opens communication between the pressure chamber and passageway. When the piston nears the end of the stroke, it is mechanically held open to complete dispensing. At all times, a positive seal between the piston and the valve body wall is maintained to prevent passage of the contents of the pressure chamber therebetween, thereby to minimize sticking and clogging of the pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1981
    Assignee: Seaquist Valve Company
    Inventor: Michael G. Knickerbocker
  • Patent number: 3987938
    Abstract: A dispensing pump for application to a product container includes an elongated housing having a recess in a sidewall thereof and a flexible bulbous diaphragm seated over the recess for a trigger-type actuation as the housing is gripped in the manner of a handle. A variable volume pump chamber is defined by the diaphragm together with the recess, and an inlet passage is provided in the housing through which the product passes from the container into the recess. The diaphragm has an annular inner skirt for closing the inlet passage in response to axial deformation of the diaphragm, as well as intermediate and outer annular skirts. The intermediate skirt has a lower free edge portion normally covering a discharge port in the housing which communicates with the pump housing, and the outer skirt has a lower free edge portion normally covering a vent port in the housing which communicates with the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1976
    Assignee: Diamond International Corporation
    Inventors: Rex C. Cooprider, Richard P. Grogan, Michael G. Knickerbocker